(Melbourne) Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and fourth seed Coco Gauff easily advanced to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open tennis tournament on Sunday.
Sabalenka (second), who won her first Grand Slam tournament in Australia last year, defeated Amanda Anisimova (442e) 6-3 and 6-2, while Gauff, who won her first major tournament at the US Open in September, defeated Magdalena Frech (69e) 6-1 and 6-2.
Anisimova had won four of the last five duels against Sabalenka, but this time, the American had no answer to the power of the Belarusian, who hit 18 winning shots.
“I’m super happy with my level of play, happy to have gotten the victory. She’s a tough opponent,” Sabalenka said. I love the atmosphere here, I love playing in front of you. I really want to stay as long as possible and hope we can get [le titre] one more time. »
A forced break due to rain slowed Sabalenka’s momentum to 4-1. However, she quickly found her rhythm and distanced herself from her opponent in the second round.
She will now face 16-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva (47e) or Barbora Krejcikova (11e) in a round of eight.
Gauff, however, was the first woman to reach the quarters, winning in 63 minutes against Frech at Rod Laver Arena. Laver was also present in the stands.
PHOTO ELOISA LOPEZ, REUTERS
Coco Gauff
“Luckily, when I saw him coming, I was already way ahead,” Gauff said. I heard applause and knew it wasn’t for us since it was only the first set. But thank you for coming, it’s an honor. »
Gauff will cross swords with Marta Kostyuk (37e), who had the upper hand 6-2 and 6-1 against Maria Tomafeeva (170e).